USWNT's Cat Macario reportedly scores record NWSL deal

What’s cooler than being cool?

Report: USWNT star Catarina Macario signs with San Diego

Chelsea star Catarina Macario is reportedly heading home, with multiple outlets linking the USWNT striker to a record-breaking deal with the San Diego Wave.

• ESPN reported that San Diego sent Chelsea roughly $300,000 to confirm the hometown hero’s transfer ahead of Monday’s NWSL deadline, rather than wait for her contract to expire at the end of the 2025/26 WSL season.

• According to sources, the 26-year-old is set to earn upwards of $8 million over five years — the highest-ever total contract value in women’s soccer history. (See full report)

Money talks: Macario’s homecoming is a direct result of the NWSL’s newly adopted High Impact Player rule, which allows clubs to pay qualified players up to $1 million above the league’s $3.7 million salary cap.

• The NWSLPA filed a grievance against the rule in December, though the mechanism remains intact until arbitration gets settled.

• Macario scored eight goals in 10 games for the USWNT in 2025, but recent injuries saw her playing time at Chelsea dwindle. (See full stats)

LA28 drops Olympic soccer schedule

The Summer Games is laying the groundwork, as LA28 released its soccer tournament schedules this week — confirming the largest women’s competition in Olympic history.

• Designed to increase rest time throughout the travel-heavy, short-form event, the tournament is set to kick off on July 11th, three days before the 2028 Opening Ceremony.

• Both men’s and women’s competitions will play out across seven stadiums nationwide, sweeping East to West ahead of the knockouts. (See full venues)

Big picture: LA28’s women’s tournament features 16 teams, outpacing the men’s 12 teams for the first time.

• New York, Columbus, Nashville, St. Louis, San Jose, and San Diego will host group-stage matches from July 11th to July 17th, with Nashville, San Jose, San Diego, and LA’s Rose Bowl hosting one quarterfinal each on July 21st.

• San Diego and LA will split the women’s July 25th semifinals, with San Diego hosting the bronze medal match on July 28th before the gold medal final takes over the Rose Bowl on July 29th. (See full schedule)

2026 Miami Open spotlights WTA’s rising stars

The Sunshine Double’s second half kicks off this week, as top tennis stars land in Miami for the final WTA 1000 hardcourt event before the Tour turns to clay.

• Reigning Miami Open champion No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka enters the field fresh off her Indian Wells win, while underdogs like No. 29 Alexandra Eala, No. 18 Madison Keys, and No. 15 Naomi Osaka look to keep things interesting.

• Rising star Eala is hunting another breakout run, after the then-No. 140 upset No. 3 Iga Świątek to soar into last year’s semis — while six-time Grand Slam winner Świątek also returns to the field. (See full rankings)

Big picture: The seeded draw gets underway on Thursday, though plenty of big names pack the tournament’s early action — including tomorrow’s all-US first-round heater between Jen Brady and former US Open champion Sloane Stephens.

• US icon Venus Williams is once again seeking her first singles win of 2026, as she prepares to take on England’s Francesca Jones on Wednesday.

• “I have amazing fans that believe in me, and it’s fun to play for them,” Williams said last week. “It’s very thrilling.” (See full schedule)

Tune in: The Miami Open continues today at 11 AM ET, live on The Tennis Channel.

Lisa Leslie and Just Women’s Sports are taking over Phoenix on April 2nd for a live taping of Between the Lines presented by Intuit TurboTax.

• Expect special guests, real conversations, and championship-level energy throughout the action-packed event.

• Tickets include complimentary drinks, free tasty snacks, and early access to our Hall of Champions exhibit.

Don’t miss it: Learn more and get your tickets today via Eventbrite.

US Soccer reveals new national team jerseys

The USWNT will debut a new look in April, as US Soccer and Nike announced all 27 national teams will sport its 2026 Men’s World Cup kits this year.

• The designs follow a distinct concept — a “stars kit” and a “stripes kit” — influenced in part by US men’s players as they prepare to host this summer’s FIFA tournament.

• “A national team jersey represents the pride of wearing the crest, not just for players on the field, but also for the fans who support them every step of the way,” US Soccer CCO Dave Wright said in Monday’s statement. (See full release)

Hitting the shelves: In the biggest release in US Soccer history, some 2,500 retailers across the country will carry the jerseys — though its unclear how many will stock versions showcasing the USWNT’s four World Cup stars.

Check it out: Browse the look and get your own at the Official US Soccer Store.

NWSL sets opening weekend attendance records

The NWSL ushered in 2026 with a bang, as the newly expanded 16-team league’s opening weekend shattered attendance records across the country.

• All eight games combined for 129,202 total fans, averaging 16,150 fans per match — the best-attended opening weekend in NWSL history.

• Seven matches drew more than 10,000 fans, setting a new league record for most opening weekend matches surpassing that mark. (See full release)

Big picture: Expansion side Boston led the way, welcoming 30,207 to Gillette Stadium for the club’s inaugural home opener, while Washington ranked second after 19,215 packed into Audi Field.

• Angel City (16,813), Orlando (16,120), and San Diego (14,078) all hit above 14,000, while Bay FC saw a third straight 10,000+ home opener with 13,110.

Quote of the day

WNBA guard Natasha Cloud
tweeting about the WNBPA’s fight for equity as marathon CBA talks continue.